Outline the functions of the cranium and vertebral column during a contact sport such as boxing.

Identify two arteries that blood travels through from the aorta to the blood–brain barrier.

State the function of platelets in response to a skin cut.

Describe the pathway of the electrical impulse during excitation of the heart muscle.

Cranium:
protects the brain;

Vertebral column:
protection of spinal cord/ supports the head / movement of the torso / attachment for ribs and muscles;

support posture;

Award [1] max per part.

<brachiocephalic trunk> common carotid artery;

<left/right> internal/external carotid arteries;

cerebral/vertebral arteries;

platelets help form a clot / scab at the site of the cut;

pacemaker/SA node fires initiate electrical impulse;

impulse travels across the atria walls;

impulse arrives at the AV node <base of the right atrium>;

impulse passes from the AV node down to the bundle of His <through the septum>;

passes down the <left and right> bundle branches <to the apex of the heart>;

travels up through the Purkinje fibres <to stimulate the rest of the ventricles>;

Accept an annotated diagram.

Responses must be in chronological order as shown in the MS to be credited, not just a list.

Generally candidates were able to identify the function of the cranium but many struggled with the vertebral column.

Few candidates answered this question accurately, with many candidates identifying arteries of the heart.

Well answered by all candidates.

Many candidates were able to achieve several marks. However, weaker candidates appeared to be confused about the initiation and pathway of the electrical signal across the heart.